Doing The Right Thing – (by Yu Xuan, 6.
4)
John had always been a star athlete, his name whispered with admiration in the
halls of his school. So, when he was chosen for the upcoming running competition, he was
certain victory was already in his pocket. When John strutted onto the field, his steps were
light, as if victory had already carried him forward, leaving little room for doubt.
One afternoon, as he strolled onto the field, he spotted his
opponent, Ania, tirelessly training under the blazing sun. Instead of acknowledging her
dedication, he smirked and scoffed," You are wasting your time. This race is mine."
Ania, unfazed, simply adjusted her stance and continued running, her focus
unwavering. John chuckled, dismissing her as no real threat.
Finally, the day of the competition arrived. The air buzzed with anticipation, the
scent of damp grass and determination thick in the air. As John and Ania lined up at the
starting line, their eyes locked in a silent battle The coach's whistle sliced through the
tension.
" Ready... Set... GO!"
In an instant, they sprang forward. John's jaw dropped as Ania surged ahead, her
strides fluid and powerful. He pushed himself harder, but she was
already dangerously close to the finish line. His confidence wavered, replaced with a
gnawing panic that clawed at his chest.
Then, a desperate idea struck him. His heart pounded like a war drum as he made
his choice—without a second thought, he thrust his foot out into Ania’s path. The world
seemed to slow as she stumbled, crashing onto the track. Gasps rippled through the
crowd, but before anyone could react, John seized his opportunity. He sprinted past her
and lunged across the finish line.
The crowd erupted into cheers, oblivious to what had truly transpired. A medal was
draped around his neck, his name etched in victory. But the weight of his triumph felt
heavier than the medal itself.
As John glanced at Ania, who was dusting herself off with a mix of shock and
disappointment, his stomach churned, and the medal on his chest felt like a stone,
pressing down on his conscience. His heart waged a fierce battle—confess and lose
everything, or stay silent and bask in stolen glory?
After what felt like an eternity, he took a deep breath and strode toward the coach.
"Coach... I need to say something. I—I tripped Ania on purpose. I feared losing and I acted
unfairly. I don’t deserve this win."
A hush fell over the crowd. Ania, wide-eyed, stared at him, processing his words.
Then, to his surprise, she started clapping. Others followed, until the stadium rang with
applause—not for his victory, but for his honesty.
The coach nodded solemnly. "It takes courage to own up to your mistakes, John.
Winning isn’t just about crossing the finish line first—it’s about how you get there."
John felt the tight knot of guilt in his chest unravel. He had lost the medal, but he
had gained something far greater—integrity. As Ania extended a hand, a small smile on her
face, he realized that sometimes, doing the right thing meant taking the harder path. But in
the end, it was the only path worth taking.
